We have a problem with humility, or rather the lack thereof. So many times, I hear from people who happen to have read a verse in the bible, usually without bothering to read the whole thing to put it in proper context, that God is simply not being fair. This usually relates to some action that the Lord took, often those in the Old Testament, and people who have never bothered to read much more than some isolated instance of the Lord’s judgement cry foul. The other example that I typically see is when there is a moral imperative that is part of our belief as Catholics, and people with a particular agenda that often deviates from that imperative call God, and us, intolerant, hateful, etc. The reality is a bit different. The Ten Commandments have been around and unchanged for several millennia; What has changed in that time (quite often in fact) is man. We claim to be a more tolerant society, one that is accepting of all. Not really. We are accepting of what is the popular social agenda of the moment, but we are wholly intolerant and unaccepting of those who adhere to a moral code that simply defines such behavior as sinful and wrong based on God’s teachings. The fact that we have an unwavering code of morals is like a red flag being waved in front of an angry bull. The shear venom that I see exuded from those who proclaim to be the most tolerant is amazing. If that is not enough, then insert general hysteria, foul language, and trying to label others with socially abhorrent labels that they have weaponized to silence those who have any opinion other than their own. This is the level that our society has frankly degraded to. It reminds me of the Baals in ancient Judea, who would use similar tactics to try to bully others into their way of thinking. The simple fact is, God is immutable, He is love, even when that love entails calling our behavior onto the carpet for our own good, and ultimately, our salvation. If He did not do this, He simply wouldn’t be God. We, on the other hand, need to rediscover our humility, and acknowledge that there is one far greater than we, instead of making vain attempts to change God to our liking or making ourselves out to be our own gods so that we can do whatever we want. When we develop our own spiritual belief systems, that is effectively what we are doing. We need to be better than this, MUCH better, and we need to make the effort to bring our brothers and sisters along with us by leading by example and holding to our values in our communications, the decisions we make, and what we reflect to others in our everyday lives.
It’s easy to take the path of least resistance, kind of like the son who told his father he would go out and work, but then did nothing. The other brother took the harder path. First of all, he initially stood up for what he wanted to do and was at least honest about it, but then relented and humbly performed the task that was asked of him. He did this silently, performing the will of his father. We need to perform the will of our Father, even if we do not initially relish the idea, and perhaps even protest a bit. We must be equally humble, and then equally resolved in our actions. This is what God seeks from us in our humility and our conduct. It is the harder path to be sure, but it is the one that leads through that narrower gate. I hope that we all make it through there.
PodCast Link
The Deacons Bench 